John wilson gibbs



(No Model) J. W. GIBBS. ELEGTRIG EBEL' PLATE.

'Tl E I'I vPanizentd Mfy 25', 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN vVILSON GIBBS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC HEEL-PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 583,043, dated May 25, 1897.

Application led January 16, 1897. Serial No. 619,507. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.' y

Be it known that I, JOHN WILSON GIBBS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Electric Heel-Plates, dac. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to heel-plates, &c., by means of which electric currents may be generated when contacted by the person; and it has for its object the provision of an article of the class described simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and efiicient in practical use.

To attain the desired end, this my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts herein set forth.

In the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification, Figures l and 3 represent plan views, and Figs. 2 and 4 end elevations, of electrotherapeutic heel-plates, insoles, and like articles constructed according to my invention.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the views.

I have found it desirable to make heelplates by means of which an electric current may be generated upon contact with thesame of the cuticle, and I have therefore constructed according to my invention an organization of the class described embodying the preferred construction of parts and their mutual relationship, combination, arrangement, and organization in a composite body or structure, as hereinafter described.

Referring particularly to the drawings, A and B denote opposing electrical elements, as copper and zinc. The horizontal plates A B may be soldered or secured together by means of fastening devices, as vertical rivets E, or preferably by a U -shaped or horseshoeshaped steel plate, as F. y

It is manifest that various omissions of some particulars could be made without materially affecting the essential features of my invention or the operation of the remaining parts, and I do not therefore wish to be limited to the specific structural details of the organization herein set forth. Obviously the elements of the structure described may be located at 5o an angle to the plane in which they are shown,

if desired. Iaccordingly use the words horizontal, vertical,and the like in a relative sense.

In practical use a heel-plate is ordinarily placed in each shoe, the moisture of the person of the wearer of the same serving to make a good electrical connection, and the circuit being completed through the body of the person using the same upon bearing the weight of the body upon the plate, the U-shaped or horseshoe shaped non electric generatingplate F of which otherwise holds the heel of the user from contact with said plates A B.

The plate in Fig. lis represented as broken off, and it may obviously be extended, so as to form a complete insole, and may be furnished with a lining D, constructed of suitable material, as cork, felt, &c.

As it is evident that many changes in the construction and relative arrangement of parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the particular construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, but that I reserve the right to make such changes, and that What I claim as my invention is- In an insole-plate, the combination, with a plate element as A, of an opposing plate element, as B, and of a non-electric generatingplate to cover the rounding edge of the upper element, as a U-shaped or horseshoeshaped plate F, the latter serving also as a means of supporting the person and as connecting means for said elements.

In testimony of the foregoing specification I do hereby sign the same, in the city of New York, county and State of New York, this 17th day of December, A. D. 1896.

JOI-IN VILSON GIBBS.

IVitnesses:

J. ODELL FowLER, .I r., C. W. SHEPHERD. 

